Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1887-09-22
Written for the Herald.]
A NIGHT ATTACK.
A Regiments Heroic Defense of the
North Carolina OutpoSts.
Gen. Pickett Baffled of the Capture Of
New Berne in 1864.


New Berne, North Carolina, was not tn,
least of several strategic points south o
the James, won by the valor of Burnside'
troops, that remained an ugly menace t.
the Confederacy during the latter part o
the war At the time of Federal occupa
tion it was a beautiful, tree-embowereG
city of ten thousand inhabitants, situated
at the extreme head of Pamlico Sound or
the tip of peninsula formed by the Neuse
and Trent rivers. The chief shipping port
of the broad turpentine track of the OLD
North State, it was the apex mart before
which rolled the most magnificent water
sweep of the South Atlantic coast.
In this captured city the Union head
quarters of the military district of North
Carolina were established, with garrison
frequently reduced to hundreds and again
restored to thousands. Entering into its
immediate defenses was line of earth.
works of considerable strength crossing
the peninsula in rear of the city, and
number of forts and Iedoubts. from the
embrasures of which frOwned the brazen
muzzles of heavy calibred guns. In either
of the thanking rivers gun boat foated as
an auxillery defense
The recovery OF New Berne from the
yankee vandal' in 1864 was estimated OF
great advantage to the Confederacy, and to
regain it was advised if it could be ac-
complished at any reasonable cost. AS a
Federal railway and water base uncom-
| fortably near the great contesting battle
grounds of Virginia, it was only too con-
venient from which damaging incursiOns
could be prosecuted and vital lines OF
rebel communication invaded and broken.
A Confederate plan, carefully matured,
comrrehended by sudden and resistless
| dash the surprise of New Berne, the cap
ture of its garrison and the bagging of its
| large accumulation of ordnance, commits
sary and other stores.
| Near the close of January command
equal to six brigades Of infantry, with no
suspicion beyond the Confederate lines OF
| its existence, was suddenly massed at
| Kingston, less than forty miles distant.
These troops were largely the veterans OF
Hoke, Kemper, Corse, CliDgman, and Ar
mistead, expeditiously moved from the
idle winter camps of the Army of North
ern Virginia. Other forces were from the
''Tar Heel" command of Bushrod johnson,
including infantry detachments from garri-
son and the 8th regiment of cavalry of
North Carolina, with an additional fight
ing factor in an artillery supplement of
twenty-five guns.
Supreme in command of this strong and
service seasoned body of "Butternuts" was
Major General George E. Pickett, gallant
but faithless officer, who deserted the
country that educated him soldier and
betrayed the flag he had sworn to defend.
On the chosen line of advance single
regiment of troops interposed between the
adventurous Confederate and his objective
point. This estimated insignificant force
was the 132d Infantry Of New York, at the
head of which was Colonel Peter j. Claas-
sen, brave and capable officer. His COM
mand, of less than 700 effective men,
manned the outposts at Bachelors Creek,
nine miles in front of New Berne. The
Gordon of pickets, distributed a mile in
front of the creek, covered to great ex-
tent the roads and trails between the Neuse
and Trent rivers, while back of the creek
were the picket reserves, in most respects
strongly and advantageously posted.
Between daylight and nightfall of Janu-
airy 31st the main forces of Gen. Pickett
marched from near Kingston to within a
few miles OF the Union outposts and went
into bivouac on the Neuse road. Toward mid
night the resting column, reused from sleep,
| was again set in motion, with every care
foly f.,c I,o aIv no,r
| detection.
At an extreme outer post, however, en-
alert sentry standing his tour of duty
caught the sound Of falling log carelessly
dropped in the repair of broken cause
way. A foe was suspicioned ready to
smite in darkness. The echoing tramp of
lurked in front, and the trusty sentry
quickly awoke his slumbering comrades,
and one sped hurriedly away bearing the
alarm to the reserve post.
The interval was brief when in the sombre
pine woods of the turpentine tract a stirring
drama ensued. In rapid succession came
the challenge of sentry; the charge of
cavalry; the sharp crack of picket rifles !;
the quick answer Of ready revolvers.
Scarcely checked in their charge and
deigning an exchange of passing shots only,
the galloping troopers swept past for the
greater quest beyond-the mile away cross
ing The vicinity of the creek reached,
rein was drawn, and the rough riders,
sliding from their saddles and leaving only
enough of their number to hold the ami
mails, were quickly at the brink Of the
stream.
The squadron of dismounted troopers
abruptly halted. The bridge was dis
mantled.
Crouching upon the ground and screen
ing their bodies as well as they could, the
would-be captors sought to penetrate the
night and learn what was beyond. At the
further end the bridge was strongly barri-
Gated by the removed logs. Meeting at
either side of the barricade line OF rude
earthworks of several rods in extent was
profiled along the creeks edge.
These we're preparations for resistance,
dimly distinguished, which evidently the
assaiiants did not expect to find confront
inp them. But no sound came from behind
the little line of breast works; no moving
form was seen across the deep, flowing
water. The key to. the Federal outposts-
was it guarded or had its defenders, panic
stricken, fled and abandoned it?
Speculation was idle. Delay was dan
perous and meant defeat. The situation
;mneIled to action. The on-marching COL
umn would presently be at hand, clamor-
inc for immediate passage.
Bold was the rebel who led the way 70